107
FINANCE
BANKING THE
UNBANKED
Remitly Passbook
A bank account is key
to financial security and
success in the U.S. But
for many immigrants,
barriers to entry like
Social Security numbers
and steep fees put
opening an account out
of reach. Launched in
February by the money-
transfer provider Remitly,
Passbook is an app that
allows customers to open
a bank account using a
range of identification
options, including an
immigration ID or a
passport, without any
banking fees. Clients can
also use the account,
which comes with a Visa
debit card, to transfer
money to families abroad.
For newcomers to the
U.S., Passbook may be a
financial stepping-stone.
—PAULINA CACHEROAR & VR
THE CORPORATE VR SOLUTION
Pico Interactive Neo 2 Eye VR headset
With built-in spatial audio speakers that enable a surround-sound-like experience
and integrated cameras to map your environment, the Neo 2 Eye ($899) matches
or exceeds other entertainment- oriented headsets in quality and performance.
But that’s where the similarities end. Unlike other headsets, the Neo 2 Eye,
which is primarily meant for corporate use, features eye-tracking software that
can detect where you’re looking. That tech comes in handy for seeing exactly
what part of a new product a customer is ogling or helping an employee learn
a new skill—so it’s no wonder that some of the headset’s earliest adopters
include companies like HTX Labs and Strivr, which develop virtual solutions for
professional training. What’s more, the headset has no pesky cables to deal with
or sensors to set up to get started. That means users can move freely in their real-
world space—without getting yanked back to reality. —PATRICK LUCAS AUSTIN
PARENTING
A CRIB
THAT CALMS
Cradlewise
Smart Crib
Roughly 60% of
6-month-olds fail to sleep
through the night. Enter
Cradlewise ($1,500), an
AI-powered smart crib
and bassinet. Most self-
rocking cradles respond
when a baby cries, but
Cradlewise uses sensors
to detect a child’s first
stirrings. Based on the
baby’s sleep schedule,
the crib then determines
whether to soothe
them back to sleep with
bouncing motions or
to let them wake up.
—J.R. SULLIVAN